Austria, a country well known for its art, music and architecture – able to hold its own even as it is being surrounded by many cultural behemoths.
At Christmastime you’ll see the architecture in a different light as Christmas trees, Christmas markets, festive lights and ornate baubles all become part of the landscape.
Schloss Belvedere
Starting in Vienna with the two most famous palaces in Austria.
The Schloss Belvedere was designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt in the 18th century and acted as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The magnificence of the Upper Belvedere is doubled as it is reflected in the pond at the entrance to the palace grounds.
At night, the palace seems to come alive with lights from the building and is complemented in December by the bustling Christmas market.
Schloss Schönbrunn
Another Baroque-style imperial summer residence is the Schloss Schönbrunn.
In 1996, it was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
The gardens are free to visit and you will be afforded a splendid view of the palace if you ascend the hill to the Gloriette.
I couldn’t help but envy the savvy locals who were incorporating the well manicured palace grounds into their exercise routes.
Vienna State Opera House
Then in the evening you can catch a performance at the world-renowned Vienna State Opera House, which frequently offers a wide spectrum of opera and ballet performances.
Or simply stroll across the road to the Albertina art gallery, take the escalator up to the terrace, and admire the elegant Opera House from there.
Salzburger Dom
The Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Most people probably know this city as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Fewer may know that Mozart was baptised in the St. Rupert’s Cathedral in Salzburg, which is now known as the Salzburger Dom.
The church rises above the rest of the old town’s skyline and so can be seen from nearly anywhere along the Salzach river.
A superb vantage point is the Basteiweg. There are strategically placed benches where you can spend a quiet and relaxing afternoon admiring the charming old town, backed by the prominent Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Another good viewpoint is from the observation deck of the Museum der Moderne.
Hallstatt
Last but not least is not a specific building but the magical town of Hallstatt, dotted with the most charming cluster of buildings in a fairytale setting.
Few narrow roads and alleyways wind their way through the town which somehow feels ancient and modern at the same time.
Gardens are not content to be earth-bound and frequently find their way up the walls of the quaint little houses, literally making each house a living, breathing, continuously changing piece of art.
Even in the absence of foliage in the wintertime, there’s a quiet exuberance stemming from the knowledge that these branches will burst into an abundance of colours come spring and summer.
The foggy view across Lake Hallstatt in winter is so hauntingly serene that even the hoards of noisy tourists seem to fade for just awhile.
Voyage Grande 